Getting Started In The Virtual Writer's Room
 

Step 1. Go to the Virtual Writer's Room.

1. Login to SongU.com and click on the "Writer Room" link..

Step 2: Make sure the room is available.

1. This room is also occasionally used for private lessons. If the room is being used, there will be a message to that effect on the page. Otherwise, you are free to use the room to meet with one or more co-writers (this will be most of the time).

Step 3:  Enter the Writer's Room.

1. Click the link that says "Enter room". This will launch the e-Classroom software and place you in the Writer's Room.The very first time you do this, it will verify your software requirements and may download something to your computer. It may take up to 15-30 seconds for the e-Classroom to full launch.
2. You will see a pop-up window about the method of connection you are using. There will be a choice for phone and a choice for "Call Using Computer". Click the "Call Using Computer" button (the phone option is available if someone cannot be near a computer at the meeting time, i.e., a teleconference). Clicking the "Call Using Computer" button will activate your microphone and put you into the Writer's Room.
   
   Tip: Don't see the "Call Using Computer" button? You may need to click on the arrow to expand the menu to see the choice (see figure below)
   
3. Tip: You can use the "invite/remind" feature to invite a non-SongU.com member who is a co-writer to use the room with you during a session. As long as one of you are a SongU.com member, you can use the room.
4. Note: When meeting with a co-writer, the first person in the room will automatically be considered the "Host" of the meeting and will be known as the "Host" in the room. Anyone else who enters after the host will be known by their first and last name.

Step 4: (optional) Start your webcam. 

1. Your mic is automatically activated when you enter the room, but you webcam is not. If you are using a webcam, you can activate that now by clicking on the picture of the webcam in the e-Classroom next to your name in the participant list or the "Host" if you are the host for the meeting. If you need to mute your mic at any time, simply click on the picture of the microphone next to the picture of the webcam.

Step 5: (optional) Start a recording.

1. If you'd like to have a recording of your meeting, the "host" can click on "Meeting" on the pull-down menu, followed by "Start Recording". No other special action is needed as the recording will automatically end up on your computer. If all co-writers in the room would like to have their own recording, the "Host" must enable recording priviledges for the others. This is done by going to Participant on the pull-down menu, then adjusting the Participants priviledge so that there's a checkbox in the "record a meeting" permission area.
2. Tip: You can also adjust priviledges to allow everyone to share documents rather than just the host. This is done by following a similar procedure as in #1 above except checking the box to allow "Share documents".

Step 5: Share your member website, backpack, other document or use the whiteboard.

1. There are numerous ways to display information in the Writer's Room. You can share your member website, your backpack, a Word Document or more. You can find most of these tools under the "Share" choice on the pull-down menu. In our Instructor-led courses, we use the Share -> "Web Content" the most.
2. Tip: You can copy/paste an address from another page into the Share -> Web Content address.

Step 6: Start your session.

1. You should be all set to go now. Don't forget that if you listening to songs together, you will want to have everyone mute their microphone during the song listening so it does not feed back into their microphone and echo into the Writer's Room.
2. Tip: The "Host" can also mute everyone's microphone by choosing "Participant" from the pull down menu and "Mute everyone".

Step 7: Help!!!!

1. Problems? Check the Troubleshooting Guide for specific problems and resolutions.
2. Tip: If you lose your Internet connection, don't panic. Simply go back to Step #1 and re-enter the Virtual Writer's Room. Note that if you are the "Host" of the meeting, the room will automatically close 5 minutes after you exit the meeting.

Step 8: At the end of the session...

1. When your session is over, simply click on the "X" in the upper right corner of your screen to end the meeting. Note that if you are the "Host" for the meeting, this will end the meeting for all participants.

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